I started Breast Cancer Awareness Month behind, and I never caught up. UGH! My surgery and recovery went well, and the pathology came back negative, so that was great news! I meet with my oncologist in a few weeks, and I am feeling good going into the appointment! Back to life and just living and finding and appreciating the beauty in each day.
For Breast Cancer Awareness Month, I wanted to feature The Freshwater Pearl Company (www.thefreshwaterpearlcompany.com), whose pearls are meant to reflect the unique beauty in all of us. Founder and CEO Brian Schultz started his company as “a way of honoring the people I hold dear by sharing their joy and generosity with the world through our … jewelry.” His mom, Lorraine Schultz, was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2001 and returned in 2016. She worked hard for breast cancer awareness and to raise funds for breast cancer research. She died in 2020. Lorraine loved pearls, so Brian started his company and continues her legacy by giving 2%+ of all of his sales throughout the year to cancer research. If you are looking for something for yourself or to gift to a cancer patient or caregiver or anyone who has been affected by cancer, I hope you’ll consider something from The Freshwater Pearl Company.
I have been asked so many times, as a cancer thriver, what some nice things to gift someone going through cancer might be. I love a lot of practical things for those going through treatment, but, usually, patients receive those things or have access to them. Something meaningful to me is something beautiful. I like to look at a beautiful thing, like the glass breast cancer awareness pumpkins I get each October, or like a piece of inspiring jewelry like the quality, affordable pieces at The Freshwater Pearl Company. They remind me, on a daily basis, whenever I look at them, that I need to appreciate the present and find the beauty in everything and everyone, lessons cancer has taught me. Beautiful things and people with beautiful hearts give me hope with this disease. The pearls of wisdom I have gleaned are the silver linings I started looking for at the beginning of my cancer journey 11 years ago to help make my journey the best journey it could be if I had to be on it. These freshwater pearl pieces from The Freshwater Pearl Company remind me of these lessons and help keep me focused on the present; they remind me to live one day at a time.
I was excited to choose my first piece of jewelry from The Freshwater Pearl Company. I’ve always loved necklaces, so, after much debate among the beautiful designs, I chose the Kayleigh necklace, a simple, sparkling strand of crystals featuring one big, beautiful freshwater pearl. It arrived in the mail within two days, and it was a fun package to open as the necklace was packaged beautifully and neatly and included a handwritten note from the owner. I was instantly in love with the quality and the cause, so the next day, I ordered the Nile Freshwater Baroque Pearl Charm Bracelet I also had my eye on. It is stunning in design and quality. I love that I can wear it casually or dressed up. It has become my everyday bracelet. The clasp is so easy, you don’t need to ask someone to help you put it on your wrist. And part of it can be taken off and made into a pendant if you put it on a necklace or chain. It, too, arrived quickly and beautifully wrapped, including another personalized note from the owner! I can’t say enough good things about the company and the gorgeous jewelry, let alone the knowledge that 2+% of my purchases are going to cancer research. I know, personally, how important this generosity is – it gives people like me more time, more life, more beauty, and for that, I am eternally grateful for people like Brian and the companies that truly support cancer awareness and research.
To date, The Freshwater Pearl Company has donated $74,455 to cancer research, and that number will be going up this month as their last quarter is their biggest for giving. So, although I missed Breast Cancer Awareness Month this year, I really hope you’ll consider giving the special gift of one of The Freshwater Pearl Company’s pieces to someone special to you this holiday season, and I hope you’ll consider gifting someone the gift of beauty, hope and joy in one of its pieces if you are looking for a gift for a cancer patient or caregiver or you just want to treat yourself and support a business that really cares and makes an impact on cancer research. I will be putting The Freshwater Pearl Company’s Lucia ring on my own Christmas List this December! Happy Shopping, and stay safe and healthy, everyone! I’ll update again after my doctor appt. in a few weeks!